Sumlin on practice music: ‘The more critical the play, the louder the stadium’

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M has played music at practices — all kinds of music, mind you — since coach Kevin Sumlin’s arrival more than a year ago, and on Wednesday Sumlin revealed where he got the idea.

He said Washington coach Steve Sarkisian asked him to speak at a clinic up there a few years ago and along the way Sumlin visited the Huskies’ indoor practice during spring drills — where tunes filled the air.

“And I liked it,” Sumlin explained during the spring SEC teleconference. “It created energy, and we don’t play football in a sterile environment. The more critical the play, the louder the stadium. (The music) helps from an energy standpoint with our kids and to keep things going, but it also forces our guys to have to communicate and focus in an environment where you can’t hear as well.”

Sumlin also addressed Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel’s diving block in the spring game on April 13 that drew so many headlines because of the quarterback putting his body on the line in a meaningless contest.

Sumlin said “he’s just playing football” and added, “I’d rather have to pull the reins back than have a guy standing around and watching.”

The second-year coach led A&M to an 11-2 record in the Aggies’ first year in the SEC, a surprising season topped by a 41-13 whipping of Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. Sumlin said Cowboys Stadium and the Cotton Bowl can “without a doubt handle” a future national title game.

Finally, Sumlin reiterated three starting defenders who missed all or most of spring drills — defensive linemen Julien Obioha, Kirby Ennis and linebacker Steven Jenkins — should be “fine for the fall.”

The Aggies open their season on Aug. 31 against Rice at Kyle Field, then play host to Sam Houston State a week later. The contest everyone in Aggieland (and beyond) is already chatting up, however, falls the next week, when the Aggies play host to two-time defending national champion Alabama on Sept. 14.